Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema and Christian Benteke Rumours

Chelsea’s wish to add some firepower to their toiling squad in the January transfer window has seen the Blues linked with moves for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema and Liverpool’s Christian Benteke.

According to Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday Mirror, the Blues and Manchester City are “keeping tabs” on the unsettled Benzema. Meanwhile, Steve Bates of the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror) claimed Benteke is the man the champions have isolated in order to add to some potency to their attacking forays.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Chelsea returned to winning ways on Saturday with a routine 3-1 triumph over Sunderland. However, it was another day to forget for star striker Diego Costa, who remained well short of his rumbustious best at the point of the attack.

As noted by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, the supporters at Stamford Bridge are far from happy with the former Atletico Madrid man:

So it’s no surprise to read a forward may be on Chelsea's agenda in January, and if they were to lure Benzema to London, that’d be a tremendous coup. According to Hopkinson, the Frenchman is far from happy with life at the Santiago Bernabeu because of what he perceives to be a lack of backing over the blackmail scandal in which he is embroiled.

If Chelsea can ruthlessly take advantage of Benzema’s apparent willingness to leave Real, it’d be to their undoubted benefit. Here’s a look at what he could potentially offer:

The Frenchman is as rounded a forward as there is in world football. Benzema has brilliant technique, works hard, holds the ball up well and brings other team-mates into the game. Capping off those qualities is a cool head in front of goal and the ability to net from a variety of different scenarios.

CURTO DE LA TORRE/Getty Images

The only factor that stands against Benzema is he’s not proven in the Premier League, which is why Benteke may be viewed as a better option for the Blues by some. The burly Belgian signed for Liverpool this summer from Aston Villa in a £32.5 million move but has yet to show his best in the famous red jersey.

As Carl Markham of the Press Association noted recently, Benteke’s performances do seem to have frustrated manager Jurgen Klopp:

According to Bates, the German is “unsure” whether the Reds No. 9 is the right fit. Bates also said new Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink thinks Benteke could be the ideal man to beef up the Blues attack.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

It is still early days for Benteke at Anfield, though. Klopp operated with a target man during his time at Borussia Dortmund, and if the Belgian can get back to the kind of level he showcased at Aston Villa, then he’ll be a very useful player for the Reds. Chelsea, who are a little more direct in their playing style, would surely love to have him on board.

Benteke has proved himself as a goalscorer in the Premier League too. As we can see here, courtesy of Squawka, that’s not something the Blues are in possession of:

Despite suggestions both Benzema and Benteke could move on, it’d be a big surprise to see either Real Madrid or Liverpool relinquish the services of two brilliant goalscorers. The former, in particular, is Real’s only orthodox centre-forward option; the Reds also have a lack of reliability in their attacking department, with Daniel Sturridge as fragile as he is fantastic.

In their current predicament, Chelsea will find a top-quality forward tough to come by. It’d be a massive surprise to see the Blues qualify for the Champions League after their awful campaign to date, making it difficult to lure world-class talent to Stamford Bridge. Hiddink, therefore, may have to turn his attention to getting Costa back at full tilt.